Hammond Police Say Shooting was “Road Rage”

July 27, 2017-Hammond Police say a shooting incident that happened in the City’s Hessville section earlier this evening was a result of road rage. According to a statment from Lt. Steven Kellogg, “at approximately 5:40 PM a Hammond Indiana off-duty police officer was traveling in the 3000 block of 173rd St. when he heard two shots fired.” The officer immediately radioed in the shooting and then pulled over to speak with the driver of a gold Mercury Grand Marquis.

“This victim is a 30-year-old white male from Valparaiso and he stated that a black Ford F150 was driving behind him and rear-ended him pushing him off of the roadway. The victim stated that the driver of the truck fired two shots at him striking him in his left arm. The description of the occupants of the suspect vehicle is not
known at this time. The off-duty police officer immediately transmitted this information to nearby officers and the vehicle was located.”

A Hammond Officer quickly responded and located a suspect vehicle near Kennedy Avenue and Interstate 80-94. The vehicle refused to stop for the officer and entered the highway. “The officer followed the suspect vehicle into Illinois where he lost sight of the vehicle due to the suspect’s excessive speed. Hammond police terminated their pursuit of the suspect vehicle. The Illinois State police advised that their helicopter was in the area and would continue looking for the suspect vehicle. The victim was transported to the hospital, treated for his injuries, and released.”

If anyone has information about this incident they may contact the Hammond Police Department Hit and Run division at 219-852-2940.